FG Seals Off Gold Mining Site Accidentally Discovered During A Soakaway Pit Dig
The Federal government through the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has directed mining marshals to seal an illegal gold mining site in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, to avert potential environmental hazards.
This was as preliminary findings revealed that artisanal miners invaded the Gwagwalada area after a gold vein was accidentally discovered during the digging of a soakaway pit near a residential property.
In a statement signed on Wednesday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Segun Tomori, Alake made a prompt order to secure the site.
This follows an earlier operation on August 16, 2025, which led to the recovery and sealing of another site around the District 2 Extension layout in Gwagwalada, where 16 suspects were arrested.
He said, “Following reports of illegal gold mining in the Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has directed the mining marshals to seal off the site to mitigate potential environmental hazards.”
The latest incident occurred on farmland behind CKC in Gwagwalada.
“Alake promptly ordered the deployment of mining marshals to secure the site,” the statement read.
Officials of the ministry led by the Director of Mines Inspectorate, represented by the Deputy Director, Sunday Okhuoya, during an on-the-spot assessment on Wednesday, “expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance with the minister’s directive, disclosing that relevant departments of the ministry have launched a thorough investigation to unravel the root of these incidents whilst recommending measures to prevent a recurrence.”
Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja, confirmed that “his team has established 24-hour surveillance over both affected sites, pending the outcome of the Federal Government’s ongoing inquiry.”
Residents were thereby cautioned to steer clear of the areas, reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to eradicate mining activities nationwide.
Alake also disclosed that the ministry was fast-tracking the deployment of satellite surveillance technology to monitor mining operations and strengthen enforcement capacity.
Follow us for more…
Author
